GreenPoint Rated (GPR), a California based third-party rating system, provides a framework for healthier and more energy efficient homes. The rating system is administered by Build It Green, a nonprofit organization that aims to deliver a practical path for more sustainable homes to the marketplace. Emphasizing flexibility, GPR v8.2 boasts over 150 measures to pursue for new and existing homes, with only a handful being mandatory. Project teams should pay particular attention to these mandatory measures as early as possible in the project’s design to ensure alignment with GPR’s requirements and to avoid any unanticipated outcomes. Though the rating system is flexible, not meeting one or more mandatory measures could delay or compromise certification.
Two such requirements pertain to a home’s energy performance and the individual who assembles the home’s energy performance documentation. Depending on floor count, heating and cooling fuel type, and climate zone, projects must meet or surpass certain performance thresholds. Once the project specific performance pathway has been determined, a Certified Energy Analyst (CEA) must put together and sign the Title 24 energy compliance forms. Naturally, CEA certification must be currently active at the time Title 24 energy compliance documentation is prepared and completed.
Mixed-fuel high-rise residential buildings (4 or more habitable stories) must achieve a 10% compliance margin over Title 24, Part 6 (California Energy Code) if they do not install photovoltaics. For those utilizing photovoltaics, they must demonstrate a 4% compliance margin coupled with a minimum 40% margin that includes both the photovoltaics and process loads. Low-rise residential buildings utilizing mixed fuel for heating and cooling must meet or surpass a total delta energy design rating (EDR) over Title 24, Part 6 of either 6, 8, 9, or 10 depending on the climate zone.
Like low-rise residential dwellings, all-electric buildings are required to achieve a specific EDR based on climate zone. Single family EDR target ranges from 0-5, while multifamily low-rise ranges from 0-4.
A third option available to single family and multifamily low- and high-rise allows projects to demonstrate a compliance margin of 20% over whole building usage utilizing the GPR Energy and Water Calculator.
For multifamily dwellings outside of California, the project must achieve a HERS Index score of 70 or below if it is a low-rise residential building. For high-rise residential buildings, projects are required to achieve a 5% or greater compliance margin above ASHRAE 90.1-2010.
VCA Green’s team includes a multitude of GreenPoint Raters and Certified Energy Analysts who have helped certify numerous GreenPoint Rated projects throughout California. Whether preparing the energy compliance documentation in-house or consulting the design team through mandatory requirements, all our GreenPoint Raters and CEAs are well acquainted with all options demonstrating energy performance and the rating system as a whole. For projects interested in pursuing GreenPoint Rated certification (or requiring it as part of a new residential project’s Conditions of Approval or local code), please feel free to contact Moe Fakih below:
Contributing Writer: Anthony Moreno, Assistant Project Manager
Moe Fakih, Principal
714-363-4700
Sources:
GreenPoint Rated New Home Rating Manual, Version 8.2. Build It Green. April 2020.